We sit down with Kristine Sommer, former USA Rugby international and professional athlete, passionate advocate for athlete wellbeing and transition support now a co-founder of the Global Rugby Players Foundation and the XV foundation.

Kristine’s story is a powerful reflection of the emotional, practical, and identity-driven challenges athletes face when stepping away from sport, and how owning that journey, rather than avoiding it, can unlock a whole new chapter of growth.

From the internal identity struggles of retirement, to the external work of building a new network and purpose, Kristine shares honest, experience-rich lessons that every athlete needs to hear.

Key Takeaways

• The next chapter is coming, whether you’re ready or not. Initiate the conversation with yourself and others.

• Transition is inevitable. Embracing it with intention allows you to shape it.

• It’s easy to look backwards. But your attention belongs to the now and the path ahead.

• Leadership, resilience, pressure management… athletes bring serious value to industry.

• Get curious about who you know and how they can help shape your direction.

• Leaving the game means figuring out who you are without the jersey - it takes time and patience.

• You’ll ask if you made the right decision. You’re not alone.

• You’re not starting over, you’re evolving.

About the hosts

James Rule, Co-Founder of ATA, is a seasoned leadership coach and former professional rugby player with extensive experience in high-performance sports management. Having held CEO roles at Super League clubs and senior positions in major sporting organisations, he understands the pressures of transitioning beyond elite competition. A passionate advocate for athlete development, James drives ATA’s mission to provide structured, research-driven support, ensuring athletes are equipped for long-term success beyond the game.

Karl Birch, Co-Founder of ATA, is a former rugby player turned coach, mentor, and leadership specialist. With over a decade in medical sales, where he led a team, he combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of the athlete mindset to help athletes transition into meaningful careers beyond sport. Passionate about early preparation and proactive career planning, he has guided former athletes through transition, ensuring they step confidently into their next chapter.

Connect and Contact

Website:

www.athletetransitionaccelerator.com

LinkedIn:

Athlete Transition Accelerator: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athlete-transition-accelerator/

James Rule: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rule-77255520/

Karl Birch: linkedin.com/in/karlbbirch10

Instagram:

@ataccelerator https://www.instagram.com/ataccelerator

Email:

support@athletetransitionaccelerator.com

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